Determination of Spatial Changes of Aksehir Lake with Remote Perception Techniques

Abstract

This study consists of examining the changes which have taken place in the long year period in the level and area of Aksehir Lake which is a part of the Lakes District with remote perception techniques. Tectonic incidents have played a role in the formation of Aksehir Lake which has settled in the easternmost tip of Akarcay Closed Basin. The lake is under the influence of a semi-arid climate. As the lake has no outlet the water is too salty to be used as potable water. The hydrological budget of the lake is replenished through rainfall, by rivers, melting snow and underground waters while it taxed through underground water extraction, utilization of river water for irrigation and as potable water, evaporation and exploitation through irrigation (on the south coasts). During the level and spatial change period the highest measured lake level was observed in 1985 when the lake elevation was measured at 958,5 m. In 1975 when the lake level was measured at 957,5 m and the area was measured as 354 km(2); in 1985 the area had increased to 367 km(2). In 1995 the lake area had decreased to 262 km2 and continued to dwindle until it had receded to 113 km(2) by 2005. In 2010 a partial increase brought the lake area to 119 km(2). A close relationship between the change in terms of the decline in the lake level and area and decrease in rainfall amount, increase in evaporation amounts, increase of water usage in the watershed and ebbing of flowing water capacity was determined.